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CROP Infrastructure looks to capitalize on the “green rush”

Last updated: 17:00 17 Sep 2018 BST, First published: 03:00 16 Sep 2018 BST

cannabis crop
CROP Infrastructure has set a high bar in the cannabis industry and has a wide runway for future growth

If there’s one thing that CROP Infrastructure Corp (CSE:CROP, CSE:CROP.CN, OTCMKTS:CRXPF) has committed to, it’s the budding “going global” segment of its business.

The math is clear: six farms in three countries, 16 brands, four farms harvesting or near harvest, two under construction, two dispensary apps, 55 topicals licenced, the list goes on.

The infrastructure company's projects include cultivation properties in California, Washington State, Nevada, Italy, Jamaica, and a joint venture on West Hollywood and San Bernardino dispensary applications.

In an environment where traditional financing is limited, CROP bridges a gap in the cannabis industry. 

The mighty greenhouse

CROP’s primary focus is investing, constructing, owning and leasing greenhouse projects. The company provides financing for land expansion, brand positioning opportunities, specialized equipment and access to approved nutrients for licensed cannabis producers in legal growing regions.

In layman’s terms, CROP is structured in a similar way to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), basically a company that owns, operates or finances income-producing real estate.

CROP leases real estate and provides equipment/expertise in exchange for a management fee.

Safe to say, these are not your average greenhouses. A competitive edge is a competitive edge and the modern greenhouse canopies offer a high-quality production environment -- at the lowest potential cost to growers.

CROP’s portfolio is currently made up of 176,000 sq/ft covered or under construction, with an additional 134,000 sq/ft scheduled, and interests in over 325 acres of outdoor production.

READ: CROP Infrastructure shares fizz higher as it reveals it's developing new cannabis-infused soda

CROP recently revealed it is developing a cannabis-infused line of soft drinks, which will offer a new kind of nutritional content. 

Named 'CANNADRINK,' it will be a zero calorie, non-GMO, ketogenic-friendly line. 

The drink  will include a tea and coffee version.

"The cannabis-infused beverages market has attracted the attention of world class beverage companies as legalization spreads," said CROP Infrastructure director and chief executive  Michael Yorke.

"We see it as a tremendous opportunity for CROP Infrastructure's branding & IP portfolio and as an axillary opportunity for each of our cultivation tenants globally."

The global carbonated soft drinks market is projected to reach US$ 605.6bn by 2025, according to a report in March this year by Grand View Research Inc.

Other projects abound

The company recently completed its acquisition of a 49% interest in Nye County farm in central Nevada.

The site has a temperate climate and totals over 315 acres, including 300 acres of private water rights, with 240 acres under automatic irrigation pivots that also have automatic fertiliser injection systems installed.

"We are pleased to have completed this acquisition and see our operations coming in under budget for this first harvest," said CROP director and chief executive Michael Yorke.

"This further demonstrates that our tenant and brand licensee was the correct choice for our Nevada farm. The next phase of development will be a state-of-the-art extraction facility to make high-value CBD isolate."

In California, the company has a number of projects. 

Last month, Crop said it had increased its ownership to 49% from 30% for its "Emerald Triangle" cannabis production facility, which is tenanted by "Hempire" in Humboldt California, and where harvesting had begun at the first of five 2,000 sq ft greenhouses.

READ: CROP Infrastructure set to open two CBD retail outlets in Italy

In Italy, The company is set to open two CBD (cannabidiol) retail outlets in northern Italy under its Emerald Heights brand before the end of 2018.

It will launch its first line of hemp-oil-infused cosmetic and therapeutic products under the brand name Urban Juve.

In June this year, CROP announced the C$1mln acquisition of US distribution and Italian rights for 50 cannabis wellness products from The Yield Growth Corp.

The future looks green

CROP has had a gangbuster year thus far, and the future looks green and it continues to execute its business plan. 

For now, it's a company that appears both stable and nimble, led by industry leaders and has a wide runway for further growth.